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Hal Your Travel Pal – Solo Travel Blog

Hal Your Travel Pal - Solo Travel Blog

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About Hallie


Hallie dressed in hanbok in front of a Korean shrine

Welcome to Hal Your Travel Pal! My name is Hallie Pope Kielb and I’m a 25-year-old travel advisor and blogger from North Carolina, USA. After graduating from college in 2021 (go Tar Heels!), I accepted a job teaching English at a public elementary school in South Korea. I spent four years exploring Asia, where I enjoyed expat life and fell in love with life abroad and solo traveling.

Now, I’m working in my dream job as a professional travel advisor, helping others plan their perfect trips with confidence and without stress. Through both my blog and custom travel planning services, I love sharing honest travel advice, curated recommendations, and the kind of thoughtful details that make a trip feel truly personal. Whether you’re dreaming of island-hopping in Thailand, sipping espresso in Italy, or navigating your first solo adventure, I’m here to help you travel smarter, adventurously, authentically, and with way less overwhelm.

Welcome, and happy travels!

plan your next adventure with me!

Fun Facts About Me


  • I absolutely love dogs, and being away from them is one of the hardest parts of traveling for me
  • My favorite activity to do when traveling is scuba diving (if the weather and location allow it)
  • I also love to snowboard and ski
  • Because I lived in Korea for 3 years, I can speak basic Korean
  • I lived in Yorkshire, England for 5 years as a kid and my wanderlust developed from that time abroad
  • I’m vegetarian and have been for many years
  • So far, I’ve visited 33 countries across 4 continents
Hallie with a corgi puppy
Hallie snorkeling with a friend, surrounded by fish
Hallie snowboarding with the Rocky Mountains in the background
Hallie as a kid in front of the tower bridge in London

Contact Me


Have a question? Want to request a blog post? Want to work with me? Fill out the form below or email me directly at hallie@halyourtravelpal.com!

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halyourtravelpal

✈️ I help YOU explore the world on effortlessly unforgettable trips
🌏 Asia & solo travel expert
👇 Travel guides, tips, & planning services

thinking about solo traveling in new zealand? here thinking about solo traveling in new zealand? here are 5 things you need to know before you go 🇳🇿✨

1️⃣ it’s one of the safest and easiest countries to travel solo, making it perfect for first-timers and solo travelers still building their confidence
2️⃣ it’s absolutely jaw-dropping… but very spread out, so logistics matter. if you have 2 weeks or less, I recommend focusing only on the south island
3️⃣ it’s on the more expensive side, so most solo travelers stay in hostels and cook most of their meals. hiking is a very popular low-cost activity, but it’s no joke - no get your steps in before your trip!
4️⃣ speaking of hiking, solo hiking safety is important to think about. always let someone know your plans (even if it’s the front desk worker at your hostel) like where you’re going, when you expect to be back, and how to reach you. pay very close attention to the weather (it can change in an instant) and ask locals if it’s safe to hike that day. many hostels will organize group hiking trips, so take advantage of those
5️⃣ if you never want to worry about being alone or getting around, I highly recommend doing the kiwi experience, a hop-on, hop-off bus that helps you make friends & see all the highlights without driving. or, if you’d prefer to not lift a finger, join a group trip! you don’t have to explore new zealand completely on your own, even as a solo traveler 

🎒 if you want to build your own solo new zealand adventure, whether it’s with a group or a supported custom itinerary, I’d love to help. I specialize in custom trips + solo travel planning, so send me a message or hit the link in bio to get started! 💌
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#newzealandsolotravel #solotravelnewzealand #newzealandtravelguide #newzealandtraveltips #newzealandtravels
thinking about solo traveling in new zealand? here thinking about solo traveling in new zealand? here are 5 things you need to know before you go 🇳🇿✨

1️⃣ it’s one of the safest and easiest countries to travel solo, making it perfect for first-timers and solo travelers still building their confidence
2️⃣ it’s absolutely jaw-dropping… but very spread out, so logistics matter. if you have 2 weeks or less, I recommend focusing only on the south island
3️⃣ it’s on the more expensive side, so most solo travelers stay in hostels and cook most of their meals. hiking is a very popular low-cost activity, but it’s no joke - no get your steps in before your trip!
4️⃣ speaking of hiking, solo hiking safety is important to think about. always let someone know your plans (even if it’s the front desk worker at your hostel) like where you’re going, when you expect to be back, and how to reach you. pay very close attention to the weather (it can change in an instant) and ask locals if it’s safe to hike that day. many hostels will organize group hiking trips, so take advantage of those
5️⃣ if you never want to worry about being alone or getting around, I highly recommend doing the kiwi experience, a hop-on, hop-off bus that helps you make friends & see all the highlights without driving. or, if you’d prefer to not lift a finger, join a group trip! you don’t have to explore new zealand completely on your own, even as a solo traveler 

🎒 if you want to build your own solo new zealand adventure, whether it’s with a group or a supported custom itinerary, I’d love to help. I specialize in custom trips + solo travel planning, so send me a message or hit the link in bio to get started! 💌
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#newzealandsolotravel #solotravelnewzealand #newzealandtravelguide #newzealandtraveltips #newzealandtravels
2 weeks in new zealand’s south island is the kin 2 weeks in new zealand’s south island is the kind of trip you’ll remember forever 💖

I did this exact itinerary solo with the @kiwiexperience south & sound pass, and it was honestly one of the easiest and most fun ways to explore, especially if you’re traveling alone. the scenery? unmatched. the people? instant friends. the vibes? immaculate.

this itinerary works for anyone, but if you’re thinking about making it happen on your own, consider this your sign to stop waiting for travel companions and do it solo 🗺️

need help planning your new zealand trip or deciding if kiwi experience is right for you? I curate one-of-a-kind adventures for people who want to stop googling and start exploring. send me a message or check the link in bio for more! 💌
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#newzealanditinerary #newzealandtravelguide #newzealandtraveltips #newzealandsolotravel #newzealandtraveldiaries
you were scared to go alone… but even more scare you were scared to go alone… but even more scared to keep waiting 🤸‍♀️

new zealand wasn’t just a trip, but a reminder that I’m allowed to live big, even if no one else is ready to come with me. solo travel is the gift that keeps on giving, always improving my confidence and reminding me what I’m capable of. new zealand is the perfect empowering solo escape for those craving adventure and beautiful scenery 🏔️

solo travel is my travel planning specialty, so if you’re dreaming of a trip like this but need a little help (logistical, confidence-building, or both) making it happen, I’d love to help. just shoot me a message or check the link in my bio to learn more about my custom solo travel planning services 💌✈️
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#newzealandsolotravel #newzealandsolotrip #solotravelinspo #newzealandtravels #solotravelguide
you were scared to go alone… but even more scare you were scared to go alone… but even more scared to keep waiting 🤸‍♀️

new zealand wasn’t just a trip, but a reminder that I’m allowed to live big, even if no one else is ready to come with me. solo travel is the gift that keeps on giving, always improving my confidence and reminding me what I’m capable of. new zealand is the perfect empowering solo escape for those craving adventure and beautiful scenery 🏔️

solo travel is my travel planning specialty, so if you’re dreaming of a trip like this but need a little help (logistical, confidence-building, or both) making it happen, I’d love to help. just shoot me a message or check the link in my bio to learn more about my custom solo travel planning services 💌✈️
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#newzealandsolotravel #newzealandsolotrip #solotravelinspo #newzealandtravels #solotravelguide
ever dreamed of slowing wayyy down in southeast as ever dreamed of slowing wayyy down in southeast asia? let me show you what 3 perfect days in luang prabang can look like 🧘‍♀️✨

it’s calm, cultural, and seriously underrated, which is exactly the reset you didn’t know you needed on your asia trip 💫

📌 save this for later
🇱🇦 check out my full laos itinerary blog on my website for all the details
💬 want this vibe built into your southeast asia trip? I plan custom itineraries that hit the big names and/or the hidden gems depending on your travel style. dm me anytime to stop googling and start exploring!
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#luangprabangtrip #luangprabanglaos #laositinerary #laostraveltips #laostravels
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